Six Northern Ireland fish and chip shops have been shortlisted for a top UK award.

Two from Belfast make the list of regional nominees in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2017.

Fish City in Ann Street and Raffos on the Andersonstown Road in the west of the city are included.

Also judged to be batter than the rest are The Frying Squad in Bangor, The Friary in Carrickfergus, Dungannon's The Dolphin Takeaway, Spinnaker in Kilkeel, Co Down and Superbites in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh.

To reach this stage they have been appraised by industry experts across a variety of judging criteria, including menu development and innovation, sustainable sourcing policies, customer service and staff training processes, marketing and promotional flair, and how they attract new customers to fish and chips.

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Marcus Coleman, Chief Executive at Seafish, said: “The Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award is one of the highest honours a fish and chip business can receive.

"Many of our past winners and finalists have gone on to reap substantial benefits, including increased shop footfall and turnover and media fame through overseas industry study trips; some have even launched their own branded products.

“Receiving this award is the pinnacle of many friers’ careers, but only one can take home the title. I wish all contenders the best of luck as they move onto the next stage of judging and look forward to seeing who comes out on top.”

Over the coming weeks, shops will be subjected to further judging as they receive mystery shopping assessments.

This next stage of the competition will whittle down the line up, establishing a UK top 20 that will subsequently compete to be crowned with a prestigious ‘regional’ title.

Following a further judging stage, the overall national winner will be announced in January at a ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.